Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a motor neuron disease, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. The disease usually attacks both the upper and lower motor neurons, which causes degeneration throughout the brain and spinal cord.

The ALS Iowa chapter said it’s blown away by the number of donations coming in by Iowans taking the challenge.

Iowans such as the Iowa Hawkeye football team, ISU basketball coach Fred Hoiberg and the Ankeny girls' cross country team have stepped up to the challenge.

Krista Strait-Higgins, care services manager for the Iowa chapter of the ALS association, said it takes more than money to fight the muscle disease.

“The best thing is it’s raising awareness about ALS -- I have families texting me, calling me, emailing me just overjoyed that finally people know what ALS is,” she said.

The challenge has raised more than $15 million this summer nationally, compared to just $2 million last summer.